Winter

Are you a beginner snowboarder? Not sure where to start when it comes to gear and apparel? We get it. Here’s some of our favorite clothing and accessories for when we hit the slopes.

It’s a debate as old as time itself (OK, maybe just as old as the sport of skiing): Ski pants or bibs? After all, they each bring something different to the table. And often, folks who love one hate the other (though we’ve been known to be fans of both). So if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, it’s important to get this right. After all, the right pair of bottoms can result in hours of fun on the slopes while the wrong pair can result in frustration and discomfort. But which is right for you? We’ll break down the pros and cons of both bibs and pants to help you decide, plus tips on choosing the perfect pair.

We’re big fans of snowshoeing. We love hitting quiet, powdery trails no one else is on, layering up, and hiking to enjoy a snack and a hot beverage with a view (and we always bring a hot beverage). Do empty trails, wildlife sightings, and stunning scenery sound good to you, too? Then gear up! ‘Cause snowshoeing offers it all. But if you’re not sure what to wear snowshoeing or what gear you need, allow us to recommend some of our favorite clothing and gear for the task. Bonus: it’s all more sustainable than your average tech shirt.

Snowshoes. We love ’em. They allow us to get outside and blaze trails all winter long, no matter how much white powder covers the route. Indeed, we’re convinced they’re an essential piece of gear every outdoorist should keep in their closet. But with so many options to choose from (and so many price points!), how can one possibly be convinced they’re getting the best snowshoes for the money? We recently tested two pairs of snowshoes from MSR and will help you map out the differences, plus answer some of your burning questions, like what snowshoes to buy, if expensive snowshoes are worth it, or which MSR snowshoes are the best of the best. Read on.

The minute I donned my crisp new bibs and jacket, I knew they were gonna rock. The materials were top notch, they left room for layering, and daaaang, they looked good. Plus: the pockets! But it wasn’t until after hours of skiing in below-freezing temps that I realized just how awesome this new kit was. So yes, as we near the end of the season, I finally found my favorite new ski kit. Here’s why it’s so rad, from fit and functionality to sustainability an material technology.

A beginner boarder with just two lessons under her belt and maybe five days on any mountain anywhere heads to Rossland in British Columbia, Canada to find out if there is any beginner snowboarding at RED Mountain Resort, a mountain renowned for it’s world-class runs.

Anybody who’s ever played outside with me knows I love to chat. Whether I’m snowboarding, cycling, hiking, or kayaking, being outdoors is just another opportunity to not only connect with nature but also with any friends and family enjoying nature with me. So I was stoked to test out the Cardo Packtalk Outdoor intercom system during my first season learning how to snowboard. Here’s what I thought of the high-quality (and expensive) system.

You know we’re big fans of barefoot shoes here at Terradrift. We love barefoot hiking boots, barefoot sandals, and barefoot shoes for daily wear. But one category we haven’t focused on yet is sustainable waterproof barefoot hiking boots for cool weather! So we did some digging, tested a few pairs in the cold and snow, and share what we think of them right here, right now.

When it comes to getting kitted for skiing and snowboarding, there may not be a more fun piece of gear or apparel to shop for than ski goggles. The strap patterns! The colors! The mirrored lenses! I mean, we love a solid insulated jacket, but if you know how passionate we are about sustainable sunglasses, it should come as no surprise that we’re almost as easily excited by sustainable ski goggles. So we did some digging to find a selection of more eco-friendly snowboard goggles, put them to the test, and are gonna let you know how they performed, how sustainable they are, what size faces they’re gonna work best for and more, right here, right now. So read on, and protect those peepers when you’re out on the snow.

If there’s one piece of gear or article of clothing that’s universally necessary come wintertime whether you’re hiking, skiing, or building a snowman in the backyard, it’s winter gloves or mittens. After all, fingers are delicate little appendages and need to be protected! But not all hand coverings are created equal, especially if you’re looking for options that are sustainable, vegan, and PFAS-free (read more about PFAS here). Fortunately, we found a bunch of delightfully cozy, sustainable winter gloves and mittens that are all of the above and more so you can gear up responsibly.